Sweet Baby.

Sorry for the lack of pics. I had some really cute pics from the zoo last Friday, but someone stole my little point and shoot camera out of the diaper bag so I am short a camera. I know, how crappy is that? Anyway, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of Rory in her bed tonight. There is nothing better than a sweet sleeping baby. She is so sweet and cuddlie.

2 Years

• 2 years ago today was the worst day of my life. I can't believe that it has already been 2 years. I find myself sometimes concentrating as hard as I can to remember the sound of his voice. I can still remember a few days before Nonie died standing on the side of the street, sobbing, and laying my head on his chest and hearing his heart beat and I remember thinking that my world had stopped spinning, like it always did when I found myself there. I can still smell him and can remember the feeling of his arms around my shoulders. I can still hear my name coming from his mouth and see him smoothing down his mustache with his bottom lip after he had a sip of coke. I can still see his face for what would be the last time as I pulled out of the driveway of my home, my safe place. I never dreamed I would find myself here at this point in my life, alone--without my hero--my Tex. I never dreamed that I wouldn't see him hold his first grandchild. I never dreamed that I wouldn't be able to run to Penn's with him again. I never dreamed that I would never again lay my head on his chest and hear his heart beat and feel his chest rise and fall with breath. I never dreamed that I would be in this place 2 years later.
• As I rocked Rory the other night I found myself talking to her, as I often do, about her Papa. I told her that he would have spoiled her rotten. I told her that although he never held her while sitting in the rocker, that he would have if he had the chance. I told her that he would have taken her golfing and fishing and done all sorts of fun things with her. I told her that she would have loved him and thought that he hung the moon. I told her that they would have been quite the pair and that he would have had some crazy nickname for her...something only he would call her. I told her that he would have loved her...that he does love her. I told her that he watches over her, and her Daddy and I, everyday. I told her that the birthmark on the back of her neck in her hairline was from her Papa. That he kissed her as she was leaving heaven on the back of her neck to remind her, and us, that he is behind her in all that she does, just like he would have been here on Earth. I told her that she is the best parts of him, all wrapped up in an undeniably cute package.
• I held her last night and giggled at her not quite shut eyes as she slept and laughed because he did the same thing and it drove me crazy. I held her little hand and rejoiced in the fact that it looked like a mini version of mine, and that mine looked like his. I secretly giggled to myself when I thought about "the look" and how some how, even at 6 months, she had it down pat--chin down, eyes cut up and head slightly tilted. I have seen it many times, but hadn't realized how much I missed it. I told her what a blessing she was and how I would tell her all about him and that she would know him through me. I snuggled her close and wrapped her up, with her little head on my chest, just over my heart and I knew that I had been here before. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes and took comfort in the feeling of her breath on my skin. For a second I could have sworn that I felt him there...standing right next to me with his hand on my hand on her back. I slammed my eyes open and whipped my head straight up and it was then that I saw it...the sweetest, toothless smile, had spread across her face in her sleep...I was right...he was there, like always. Rory felt it too.
• Dad...I miss you more and more. I promise that I will tell Rory all about you, I promise that she will know you, I promise that I will do my best to make you proud. I only hope that I can be a fraction of the parent to Rory, that you were to me. I love you, I always will. Forever - Your Fritz.

Happy Father's Day and Rory's Canvas

Here is Kevin's Father's Day present. I got this charcoal drawing done of Rory the other weekend. It looks AMAZING! It was worth every penny. Kevin was shocked, but I think that he really likes it. She is growing so fast and it is so special to have such an amazing memory of her at 6 months. She is such a sweet baby. We are surely blessed. Sorry about the glare, that is what I get for taking pictures at 9:30pm. I know, sometimes I am not so bright. Next, since I am doing a post on Pics of Rory in the house, is the canvas portrait that we had done with some of the pics that Erin did. Again, excuse the glare...I used the point and shoot at 9:30p. I will try to get some better pics of it, but you get the point! Happy Father's day Kevin! Thank you for giving me such a sweet baby girl. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you with Rory. Also, Happy Father's Day Dad. I know that you aren't physically here, but I see you everyday in the face of Rory. I hear you everyday in my mind when I watch the relationship develop between Kevin and Rory and I miss you everyday with every fiber of my being. I LOVE you, I miss you, I hope that I make you proud.-Fritz

6 months

Sorry I missed Friday, but here is the 6 month post. Rory, At 6 months, you are SO much fun. You went to your first art festival where I had a charcoal picture done of you for your Daddy for Father's Day. I am amazed how cute you are and how fast you pick stuff up. I took you all of 3 seconds to figure out what to do with the sippy cup. I am still in amazement that we have been blessed with such a sweet baby. Can't wait for the next 6 months! If you don't mind though...can you sleep through the night again please? I realize that 2am sounds like a good time to get up to hang out...trust me, IT IS NOT! We love you! Mommy and Daddy

Still Here!

I am still around! We have been SLAMMED here at work, so I have been MIA during the day and Miss Bee is keeping me hopping at night! Rory had her 6 month doctor's appt yesterday. She is 16 lbs and 4oz and was 26.25 inches long. She did all her tricks for the doctor yesterday and was in a great mood until she got the 2 shots. Truthfully, the nurse holding down her legs and arms was worse than the shots....girlfriend DOES NOT like to be restricted! Anyway, special post tomorrow for her 6 month birthday...seriously...6 months, I can't believe it!

Lauren

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rory and I miss and love you. Kevin

Why not...Family Feud

You know the drill, read my answers, post it on your blog, but you can't duplicate my answers.

1. Name something you use in the shower: Shampoo
2. Name something a football player wears under his uniform: Cup
3. Name something people hate to find on their windshield: Bird Poop
4. Name something a man might buy before a date: New Shirt
5. What is another word for blemish? Spot
6. What is something that you cook in the microwave? Popcorn
7. Name a piece of furniture that people need help moving: Sofa
8. Name a reason a younger man might like an older woman: MONEY
9. Name something that a dog does that embarrasses its owner: Poops in neighbors yard
10. Name a kind of test you can not study for: Pop Quiz
11. Name something a boy scout gets a badge for: Archery
12. Name a phrase with the word "home" in it: Home is where the heart is
13. Name a sport where players lose teeth: boxing
14. Name something a teacher can do to ruin a student's day: Pop Quiz
15. Name a bird you wouldn't want to eat: Dove
16. Name something a person wears even if there is a hole in it: Sock
17. Name something that gets smaller the more you use it: Soap

There you go...post away! Happy Friday all!

HILARIOUS!

Ok guys, you have GOT to check out this blog. It has pictures of "cake wrecks". You know, those cakes you see and think...holy cow...why would anyone ever order/buy/make one of these. HORRIBLE and HILARIOUS! For a good laugh check it out! HERE

It's a busy week...

I think that this is probably my favorite picture that I have taken of Rory. This is straight out of the camera...no editing! Rarely do I have a pic that I don't at least have to crop or adjust the lighting.

The Hops are FREE!!!

YAY!!!!! Just a quick post. If you are not up to date on the "Free the Hops" campaign, click the link! Free The Hops

5 on Friday - The never ever edition.

For your Friday enjoyment...and just for fun...here are 5 things that you will NEVER spot in Miss Bee's wardrobe. Nothing against anyone who does like this stuff....just not my style!

1. Rufflie Socks

2. Elastic Lace Headbands...No head garters!!!! The words "Stretch" and "Lace" should never, ever be associated. 3. "Little Dolly" dresses - aka W@L-Mart lace dresses...Make my skin crawl.

4. Camo infant attire

5. Patent Leather shoes. Although I would have mauled someone on the playground for a pair when I was a little girl...I am glad that I was never granted my request. The only exception to this rule is Tap Shoes...the only patent that will ever cross the door jam.

There ya go...a random 5 on Friday!

Flashback Thursday!

When did THIS baby Get so big SO FAST??

A girl and her dog,,,,,

It's a beautiful thing!!!!!!!!

It's all about the jewelry!

I have been trying to get a good picture of Rory in her pearls and bracelet. I am still on a quest to get a good one but I think these are a good start! This one is my favorite I think. Ciao!

TGIF!

Whew...what a week. I am sure glad that today is Friday. I am ready for the weekend! Mom and Tim are coming into town this weekend to visit. I am pretending like they are coming to see me, but in reality...it is Miss Bee that they are chomping at the bit to see. It is OK though, I will just lounge around here in delusion land. I hope that everyone has a great weekend and I will see you folks on Monday! Just for kicks...here is a 5 on Friday for ya!

1. Kevin is working late on Saturday. I hate it, Rory hates it, Nellie hates it, Ruby could care less. Since Kev isn't off on Sundays any longer, it makes what little time we have together even shorter since he sleeps in on Sunday, we go to church, grab a quick bite to eat and then he starts getting ready and leaves for work. YUCK
2. Rory has almost grown too long for the pack-n-play. Who gave her permission to grow bigger...it sure wasn't me! My tiny girl is getting big...good thing she is also getting even cuter or I might have to make her wear a brick on her head to attempt to slow her down.
3. I am really worried about a good friend of mine. REALLY worried...say a little prayer.
4. How is it that ALL the big bills come due in one month? Quarterly student loan, car insurance and 3 car tags--all in May, SO not fair!
5. Rory has decided that Rice cereal bites and she would just rather have baby food. She will eat oatmeal, but only if you trick her and put it on the back of the spoon and the baby food on the front. Smart cookie!

5 Months

Rory was officially 5 months old yesterday. I can hardly believe it! She is so much fun at this age and we are enjoying every second of it.

10 on Tuesday

1. Rory is 5 months old today...crazy!
2. We went to visit Kevin's grandmother tonight.
3. I want to go to the beach....REALLY badly!
4. Enough with the rain and dreary weather, where are all those May flowers?
5. I will try to get Rory's official 5 month pictures up as soon as I can (I have to actually take them first)
6. I will be 29 in less than a month...28 was a great year...I hope 29 is equally as great!
7. We are slammed at work...seriously....more than I can get done in 1 day!
8. I am having trouble coming up with 10
9. This whole "post-a-day" thing is hard with a baby at home.
10. Rory HATES tummy time, I don't know how she is ever supposed to roll over if she screams until she looses her breath (or I can't take it any longer and flip her over) and I flip her back over. She will roll from her back to her side, but that is really all she cares to do.

Mother's Day...warning, emotional rambling ahead.

• A year ago, on Mother's Day, we told our families that we were expecting a baby. Honestly, I was nervous even then to let anyone in on the “secret.” I was terrified that something would happen and we would not get our sweet baby. I guess infertility does that to you. I can remember the feeling of telling them and then thinking “Holy Cow I hope that we aren’t all disappointed.” I can remember praying that God would bless us with a healthy, happy baby.

• I can remember the year before that, (and the year before that) being sad on Mother’s Day because I honestly didn’t know if I would ever get to experience Mother’s Day as a Mother myself. I can remember praying that God would bless us with a baby. I can remember hearing people talk about what a pain it is to have to get up in the middle of the night because “the baby woke up” and thinking to myself how lucky they were to be able to look at that sweet face and watch him/her drift off to sleep. I can remember watching Kevin with our friend’s babies and wondering if I would ever get the chance to see him with our baby in the early light of the morning. I can remember wanting to be a Mother so bad that it made my arms ache because I so desperately wanted to feel the weight of a baby…MY baby in my arms.
• Yesterday I woke up at 4am to the sounds of my babbling baby. Yesterday I leaned over the edge of her bed and watched her smile at the sight of my tired, groggy, sheet creased face. Yesterday I put her little pink pacie back in her mouth and watched her heavy eye lids close and her pacie wiggle in her sweet little mouth as she drifted off to sleep. Yesterday I closed my eyes and, for the 1 millionth time, silently thanked God for trusting me enough to send me this precious child. Yesterday I stayed there, peeking over the side of her bed and just watched her chest rise and fall in the most constant, reassuring rhythm until my eyelids grew heavy too. Yesterday I snuggled up next to my sleeping husband and marveled at the fact that we were chosen to be the parents to such a sweet little baby and promptly fell asleep to the sounds of her sleeping wimpers. Yesterday I rocked my sweet girl and told her that she is the reason that I was born...she is my miracle...and I'll never let her for get it. Yesterday, I got my wish, my answered prayer, I got to celebrate Mother’s Day with arms aching from the weight of a growing baby girl.

My latest project

I just completed a new outfit for Miss Bee. She looks really cute in it! She hasn't worn it out yet, but I will try to remember to get a picture when she does! Close up...Little Ruby dogs...Nellie is jealous!

This pic has nothing to do with anything...I just thought it was cute! I can't believe she is almost 5 months old.